Popular television and film actor A.C. Murali Mohan reportedly committed suicide by hanging at his residence in Purasawalkam, Chennai, on Thursday.

Popular television and film actor A.C. Murali Mohan reportedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence in Purasawalkam, Chennai, on Thursday. He was 55. The actor is survived by his wife Seetha Rani and son Uma Shankar, who is studying in the United States.

Mohan shot to fame with the popular horlicks commercial and was even fondly called "Horlicks Mama." The actor has starred in several advertisements as well as television serials like "Thendral." He has also been part of a few Tamil films including "Rendu", "Boys", "Alli Thandha Vaanam", "Citizen", "Hey Ram" and "Thavasi" among others.

Mohan is said to have been depressed due to lack of work commitments for the last five to six months. Along with it, a few domestic issues apparently forced the actor to commit suicide, reported Deccan Chronicle.

The actor took the extreme step when he was alone at home. His wife had gone out to attend a function in Tambaram on Wednesday night and when she returned on Thursday morning, the actor did not respond to the door, despite repeated knocks. She checked with her relatives who stay in the ground floor of the building and enquired about her husband. Later, she peeped through a window of her first floor residence only to find the actor's body hanging from the ceiling of their bedroom.

Vepery police were informed about the incident and the actor's dead body was sent to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for post mortem. The cops have registered a case and they are yet to ascertain the actual reason that forced Mohan to take the extreme step. The police are trying to find out if the actor has left any suicide note.